Discover the legendary archaeological treasures and breathtaking landscapes of mainland Greece on this eight-day journey. Explore the Acropolis in Athens, the ancient kingdoms of Mycenae and Epidaurus, the charming town of Nafplion, Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games – and the sacred sanctuary of Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo. Complete your adventure with an olive oil tasting and a visit to the spectacular UNESCO-listed monasteries of Meteora, perched high atop dramatic rock formations.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Athens: Discover the highlights of the Greek capital, including the Acropolis, Parthenon, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus and other iconic landmarks.
Mycenae: Explore one of Greece's most important archaeological sites, including the monumental Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the legendary Tomb of Agamemnon.
Olympia: Visit the birthplace of the Olympic Games, where you'll discover the temples of Zeus and Hera, the ancient stadium and the Archaeological Museum.
Delphi: Explore the UNESCO-listed sanctuary of Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo and the most famous oracle of ancient Greece, nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.
Meteora: Visit two of the spectacular monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dramatically perched atop towering sandstone rock formations that have been home to Orthodox monks for centuries.
Día 1: ARRIVAL ATHENS
Arrival at Athens Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is free at leisure for exploring this never-sleeping city.
Overnight in Athens.
Día 2: ATHENS AND ACROPOLIS
We start the day with a visit to the imposing Acropolis, the "holy rock" of Athens, with its many impressive buildings and temples, such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. This is followed by an exploratory city tour made by Athens along the major sights of this metropolis, such as the beautiful marble Panathinaic Stadium, the parliament building (the king's former palace), the university buildings, the Temple of Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian. The rest of the day is at your leisure with the possibility to book an optional Athens Food tour.
Optional Athens Food Tour: Immerse yourself in the world of Greek food. The smells and the range of products in specialty food shops and the bustle of open-air markets will all make your taste buds sing! Sample unique local delicacies, from small-batch olive oils and baklava to souvlaki and bougatsa (cream-filled phyllo pastry). Find out more about the Mediterranean diet, what it really consists of and why it’s so good for you.
NOTE: Operated with an English-speaking tour leader, Starting time: 5:30 p.m., Duration: 3.5 hours, transport to the meeting point not included.
Overnight in Athens.
Día 3: ATHENS – CANAL OF CORINTH – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – NAFPLION OR TOLO (385km – 9hrs)
We leave for the largest peninsula in Greece: the Peloponnese. Here we make a photo stop at the narrow, unique channel of Corinth, which connects the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth. Then we continue to Mycenae, the centre of the prosperous Hellenic culture. We see the Cyclopean walls and go through the famous Lion's Gate to the King's Tombs (discovered by Heinrich Schliemann). We continue our journey and head towards Epidaurus, the sanctuary of Asklepius (God of medicine). The ancient theatre, famous for its unique acoustics, is impressive here. Every summer it comes alive with performances of ancient tragedies and comedies. The cosy, historic town of Nafplion is of course also visited. It was the first capital of Greece freed from the Turks in the 19th century. Characteristic are the dominating Palamidi Castle with the famous staircase of 999 steps and the small "Bourtzi" castle, located in the bay in front of the town. The many small streets with countless shops and restaurants and the beautiful boulevard also make it a popular weekend destination for the Athenians. We end the day in Tolo or Nafplion, where we will stay for the next night.
Overnight in Nafplion/Tolo.
Día 4: TOLO – OLYMPIA (270km – 4hrs)
We leave Tolo and drive to visit Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Here you can see the temples of Zeus and Hera, the stadium and of course the place where the Olympic fire is lit every 4 years. The beautiful museum will also be visited.
Overnight Olympia area.
Día 5: OLYMPIA – ARACHOVA OR DELPHI (240km – 4hrs)
The day begins with a visit to a nearby olive oil mill. Learn all the secrets of the green gold of Greece, how to distinguish fresh, extra virgin olive oil, the Greek olive varieties and how to store your olive oil properly. At the end of the tour, you will try some of the oil, as well as olives and infused EVOO with rosemary, garlic or lemon, with fresh homemade bread. In the afternoon, we continue to Delphi or Arachova.
Overnight in Arachova/ Delphi.
Día 6: DELPHI – KALAMBAKA (230km – 4hrs)
This morning we visit the museum and the excavations of Delphi. According to Greek mythology, Delphi was the meeting place of two noblemen, released by Zeus and sent in different directions. The place where the two met - Delphi - is represented as the center of the world, also called 'omphalos'. In the afternoon, we continue to Kalambaka near the Meteora via Lamia, Karditsa and Trikala.
Overnight in the Kalambaka area.
Día 7: KALAMBAKA – ATHENS (350km – 5hrs)
Discovery of Meteora. Like a surreal setting of mountains, Meteora are among the most remarkable sights of Greece. A grandiose landscape composed of rocky peaks with monasteries that perpetuate Byzantine colours and Orthodox tradition. The monastic city was founded in the mid-14th century. Even less than a century ago, monasteries were accessible by hoist baskets on ropes, or by climbing ladders. Visit 2 of these monasteries. In the afternoon, return to Athens.
Overnight in Athens.
Día 8: DEPARTURE ATHENS
Wake up to one last breakfast in the hotel before taking your transfer back to Athens airport, where you’ll catch your flight to your following destination.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Greece. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
